From Service to Scholarship: The Military Veteran's Guide to Pursuing a PhD
Current military members or veterans may find that adding a PhD is not only applicable to their real-world experience but also can lead to senior leadership positions. Our guide will help you navigate your doctoral program with flying colors.
If you’ve served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you already have access to a wealth of educational benefits under the GI Bill.
In fact:
- Over 50% of veterans use their GI Bill benefits for higher education.
- Roughly 10% of those student veterans pursue doctoral-level degrees.
Your military training and experience bring tremendous value — not just to the field you study, but to academia itself.
However, transitioning from the military to a PhD program comes with unique cultural, financial, and personal hurdles. Let’s look at the most common challenges and how to overcome them.
Challenges Veteran PhD Students Face
Military veterans bring strength, structure, and discipline to doctoral studies, but they also face distinct obstacles that civilian students may not.
Here’s how to navigate the most common ones.
Balancing Service and Studies
Both military service and doctoral research demand time, focus, and resilience.
Juggling the two can feel overwhelming — but many veterans successfully do it.
Strategies to stay balanced:
- Set realistic expectations for completion timelines and assignments.
- Consider online or hybrid doctorate programs that allow for flexible scheduling.
- Use time-blocking or project management tools to plan research and service commitments effectively.
Your military discipline already gives you an edge. Use it to create structure in your academic life.
Managing Finances and GI Bill Complexities
Even with the GI Bill’s strong education benefits, many veterans still face financial gaps during their doctoral studies.
Common issues include:
- Exhausted benefits from prior degrees (bachelor’s or master’s).
- Needing extra funding for living expenses, books, or materials.
- Navigating the paperwork and eligibility documentation for benefits.
Strategies for Managing Finances:
- Start researching financial aid as early as possible (before enrolling).
- Contact your school’s veteran services office for guidance on benefits, scholarships, and emergency grants.
- Explore hybrid funding options, such as fellowships or employer tuition reimbursement.
Finding Military-Friendly Support
Feeling isolated can be one of the toughest parts of the transition from active duty to academia. Some schools excel at supporting veterans (others less so).
Look for programs that offer:
- Dedicated veteran centers or resource offices
- Peer mentorship or veteran student groups
- Academic and career counseling designed for service members
- Mental health services that understand military culture
Pro tip: Look for schools recognized as military- or veteran-friendly. Examples include Southern New Hampshire University, University of Florida, or University of Missouri-Columbia.
Navigating Technology and Connectivity Challenges
If it’s been a while since your last college course, the tech side of modern learning can feel unfamiliar.
Most doctoral programs rely heavily on learning management systems (LMS) for coursework, submissions, and discussion boards.
Before starting your program:
- Identify which LMS (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle) your school uses.
- Explore tutorials to get comfortable with its features early.
- If you’re stationed or living on a base, check for internet access or VPN restrictions that might affect connectivity.
Being proactive with tech saves you frustration later and helps you stay connected to your professors and peers.
Transitioning from Military Life to Doctoral Study
The shift from structured military culture to the academic environment can be jarring, even more so than the move to civilian life itself.
Recognizing the adjustment period is key to setting yourself up for success.
Adjusting to Civilian and Academic Culture
In the military, roles and expectations are clear. Academia, by contrast, runs on open debate and individual initiative.
Tips for easing the transition:
- Connect early with your school’s veteran support team or academic advisor.
- Visit your campus veterans’ office (or its online equivalent).
- Join a student veterans’ association or community chapter.
- Most importantly, don’t isolate yourself. Your experience adds perspective that others value.
Meeting Academic Prerequisites
Some doctoral programs require specific prerequisite coursework before admission.
If you’ve been out of the classroom for a while, these can feel like roadblocks, but they don’t have to be.
What to do:
- Talk with your academic advisor about prior credits or military training that might transfer toward prerequisites.
- Many institutions award credit for specialized military training, especially if it aligns with your doctoral field.
You’ve already done the work, so make sure it counts toward your next academic step.
Building a Strong Support System
Your military career taught you the importance of teamwork. Apply that mindset to your studies.
Build a circle of support that includes:
- Fellow student veterans
- Family and close friends
- Faculty mentors and advisors
- Local or online veteran communities
Use both institutional resources and personal networks to stay grounded and motivated.
Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental health is crucial. Not just for academic success, but for overall quality of life.
Veterans pursuing doctorates often face stress, anxiety, depression, or PTSD stemming from both military and academic pressures.
Take advantage of resources like:
- On-campus counseling and wellness centers
- VA mental health programs or telehealth services
- Peer groups or online support communities for veterans in academia
Maintaining your mental health isn’t a luxury. It should be a top priority.
Military Skills That Give You an Edge in a Doctoral Program
Your military service has already equipped you with a unique set of skills that most doctoral students spend years trying to master. They’re advantages that can power your research, discipline, and leadership throughout your program.
Below are some of the most valuable military-developed skills and how they translate into academic success, along with degree examples that align well with each.
Accountability
What it means in the military: Owning your actions and results.
Why it matters in a PhD: Research requires integrity, from data collection to defending your dissertation.
Related Degrees:
Attention to Detail
What it means in the military: Small details can mean the difference between success and failure.
What it matters in a PhD: Academic work must withstand intense scrutiny.
Related Degrees:
Decision-Making
What it means in the military: Making sound, high-stakes decisions quickly.
What it matters in a PhD: You’ll use analytical reasoning and judgment constantly, from designing research to interpreting results.
Related Degrees:
Communications
What it means in the military: Clear, respectful communication up and down the chain of command.
What it matters in a PhD: Strong writing and speaking skills are vital for publishing, teaching, and defending your work.
Related Degrees:
Leadership and Management
What it means in the military: Leading by example and motivating teams under pressure.
Why it matters in a PhD: Research projects, group collaborations, and teaching roles all require strong leadership.
Related Degrees:
Organization
What it means in the military: Structuring missions, managing people, and meeting deadlines.
Why it matters in a PhD: You’ll need to organize large projects, data, and research timelines effectively.
Related Degrees:
Problem-Solving
What it means in the military: Analyzing complex issues through the seven-step Military Problem Solving Process.
Why it matters in a PhD: Research is problem-solving — every dissertation begins with a question.
Related Degrees:
Project Management & Planning
What it means in the military: Managing missions, resources, and contingency plans.
Why it matters in a PhD: A dissertation is a long-term project requiring the same precision and adaptability.
Related Degrees:
Public Affairs
What it means in the military: Communicating organizational goals to the public.
Why it matters in a PhD: Useful for careers in policy, communications, and academia where clear public engagement is key.
Related Degrees:
Team Building, Coaching, and Mentoring
What it means in the military: Building trust and cohesion within a unit.
Why it matters in a PhD: Doctoral work is collaborative — mentoring and teamwork skills enhance success in labs, research groups, and teaching.
Related Degrees:
Working Under Pressure
What it means in the military: Staying calm, focused, and decisive in high-stress environments.
Why it matters in a PhD: Doctoral programs test endurance and mental toughness — especially during research and dissertation phases.
Related Degrees:
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Military Members & Veterans
Even with GI Bill benefits, funding a doctoral education can be complex. Here’s a breakdown of top military-specific financial aid options and scholarships worth exploring.
Key Military Tuition Assistance Programs
GI Bill (Post-9/11 Chapter 33)
Covers tuition, housing, books, and supplies for eligible veterans. Learn more on the VA Post-9/11 GI Bill website.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Helps pay higher tuition costs at private or out-of-state universities. Eligibility requires 36+ months of active duty or comparable service.
Tuition Assistance Top-Up
Provides extra funding beyond standard GI Bill coverage for those using Tuition Assistance (TA). Be sure to understand how this affects your other GI Bill benefits before enrolling.
State Tuition Discounts and Waivers
Many state universities offer veteran discounts or in-state tuition rates — often extended to spouses or dependents.
Examples: Murray State University and the University of Washington.
Fee Waivers
Some schools waive application or program fees for veterans.
Examples: Purdue University, CUNY School of Professional Studies, and the University of Southern California.
Other VA Education Programs
If you’re ineligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you may qualify under:
- Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD or MGIB-SR)
- Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
- National Call to Service Program
Scholarships for Veterans and Service Members
AHIMA Foundation Veteran’s Scholarship Program
- Amount: Up to $10,000
- Eligibility: Veterans or spouses pursuing health information doctorates; AHIMA membership required (may be sponsored).
Army Nurse Corps Association Scholarship Program
- Amount: Varies
- Eligibility: Army-affiliated nurses enrolled in nursing or anesthesia doctorates
Army Women’s Foundation Graduate Program AWF Legacy Scholarships
- Amount: $3,000
- Eligibility: Female Army members or descendants in graduate STEM programs (min. 3.0 GPA).
Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) Veteran Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: Prior service members pursuing graduate degrees at CCME member institutions.
Fleet Reserve Association Scholarships
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Eligibility: Veterans or family of Navy, Marine, or Coast Guard members.
Marines’ Memorial Tribute Scholarship
- Amount: $2,500 to $5,000
- Eligibility: Open to any recent U.S. service members (within 3 years of active service).
- Amount: $10,000 per academic year
- Eligibility: Active-duty, veterans, or spouses pursuing full-time degrees at U.S. institutions.
- Amount: $2,500
- Eligibility: Veterans enrolling in or accepted to U.S. colleges within 6 months.
VFW’s “Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship”
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Eligibility: Veterans or active service members (E-5 or below) with financial need.
Essential Resources for Veteran and Active-Duty Doctoral Students
Your success doesn’t depend on doing it alone. These national and campus-based resources are designed to help service members transition smoothly into doctoral study.
Education and Transition Support
- Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES): Helps service members plan education goals, earn college credit for military training, and choose schools wisely.
- Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (DoDTAP): Offers workshops and tools for transitioning service members, including career and education guidance.
- Service to School (S2S): Provides free, personalized admissions counseling to help veterans gain admission to top universities.
Peer and Mentorship Programs
- Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE): Matches new student veterans with trained peer mentors to support academic and social transitions.
- Diana Davis Spencer Scholars (DDSS): Offers mentorship and resources for Warrior-Scholar Project alumni pursuing graduate degrees.
- Student Veterans of America (SVA): Connects over 750,000 student veterans across 1,500+ campus chapters nationwide.
Veteran-Focused Career and Mental Health Resources
- VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC): VA program offering counseling and vocational rehab on 100+ campuses.
- Military OneSource Benefits Finder: Search tool for education, employment, and family resources.
- National Resource Directory (NRD): Curated by the DoD, DoL, and VA — includes education, training, and rehabilitation tools.
- Non-VA Resources for Student Veterans: VA webpage listing nonprofit and private sector supports for academic success.
Interview with a Military Education Expert
Michael Fountain is a strategic leader with experience in operational efficiencies, transformational processes, and innovative strategies, with a proven track record of increased process improvements, strategic project management, and leading large transformation and changes management efforts. Fountain is a scholar, professional, military veteran, and DEI advocate for building, creating, and sustaining diverse work outcomes and nurturing organizational cultures. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Global Leadership and Change at Pepperdine University.
Can you tell us a little about your military background and experience?
I spent a total of 11 years in the military, including service in the Army National Guard and Army. I trained first as an infantryman and later as an engineer.
What made you decide to pursue a doctoral degree? Did your military background affect your choice of academic field or research focus? If so, how?
I decided to pursue my doctoral degree because of my internal yearning to explore my curiosity, learn experimental principles in practice, translate my ideas into tangible working models, and become an expert in my field of interest. Being able to travel abroad during my military experience started my global curiosity about how interconnected the world is.
Was your travel abroad a result of being stationed overseas?
I completed several special missions abroad. However, I was stationed stateside. My last mission was in Iraq, where I helped facilitate the building of schools and a mosque for a local community.
Do you feel you’ve been able to capitalize on or leverage your military experience during your degree studies? Do you believe your military background has given you any unique opportunities or advantages in your academic pursuit?
My field of study is global leadership and change. I was able to leverage my military experience by bringing the leadership skills I learned during my time in service. During my studies, I understood and communicated my global experiences related to cultural differences, societal norms, and socioeconomic factors due to my own experiences and familiarity.
Have you faced any specific challenges in your degree pursuit that are unique to your military background? If so, have you been able to tap into any school support services or campus organizations to help you with those challenges?
One of my biggest challenges during my military experience was the lack of representation in leadership roles. At Pepperdine University, there has been a big focus on ensuring representation is a primary factor in enrollment, employment, course material, and programs.
How has your military background or veteran status influenced your post-doctorate career plans?
I have always had a passion for supporting people. Learning about the disparities people face, domestically and globally, sparked that passion even more. My determination has given me the drive and motivation to pursue careers that directly impact investing in the needs of people globally, whether that’s education, health, wellness, social justice, etc.